Kyburg reformed church

Kyburg Reformed Church (Reformierte Kirche Kyburg) is the parish church of the small village of Kyburg in the canton of Zurich. Since 2016 the village has been part of the municipality of Illnau-Effretikon. The church stands beside the famous Kyburg Castle, yet it is a separate building with its own story: it has served the local congregation for centuries rather than castle visitors.

What can you see at Kyburg church?

The present nave dates from 1695. Heinrich Bleuler led the construction, working from plans drawn up in Zurich, the authority that held the parish patronage. It is a wide, single-space hall closed by a three-sided choir, a layout typical of Protestant church building of the period, when the congregation gathered around the preached word.

The tower is older than the nave. Built in 1556, it was left standing when the church was rebuilt, so two phases of the village's history are visible side by side. Locally it is known as the Käsbissenturm. A west porch was added around 1850.

In 1912 the architects Pfleghard & Haefeli redesigned the choir, and Wilhelm Hartung decorated it with paintings in the Heimatstil style. The most recent thorough restoration took place in 1987-88 under Peter Hartung.

What is the parish history?

The church belongs to the former political municipality of Kyburg. From the Reformation onward it formed its own parish together with Brünggen, Ettenhausen and part of Billikon. Earlier, the castle settlement had a chapel of St Catherine, recorded in 1370 as a branch of the parish of Illnau. The right of patronage passed to Zurich, while the tithe went to the Allerheiligen monastery in Schaffhausen and, after its dissolution, to the canton of Schaffhausen.

How do you get to the church?

The church is in the centre of Kyburg village (coordinates 47.458 N, 8.744 E), right next to the castle. The village is small, so the walk from the castle takes only a few minutes. It is easy to combine both visits in one stroll.

When can you visit?

This is a working parish church, so opening hours depend on services and parish arrangements. Check the Kirchgemeinde Kyburg before you go, and keep the interior quiet during services.

Frequently asked questions

Is the church the same as the castle chapel? No. The chapel inside Kyburg Castle is known for its medieval wall paintings, while the Reformed church is a separate parish church in the village.

How old is the church? The nave was built in 1695 and the tower is older, from 1556. The porch was added around 1850 and the choir was redesigned in 1912.

Is there an entrance fee? It is an active parish church and visiting arrangements are set by the parish, which publishes current information as Kirchgemeinde Kyburg.

Which municipality does Kyburg belong to? Since 2016 it has belonged to Illnau-Effretikon in the canton of Zurich. Before that Kyburg was an independent municipality in the Pfäffikon district.